Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Larry Quaglia, State Chairman
Insurance and Accident Prevention Committee
When we think of this terminology, we usually think of a large corporate entity. Sexual Harassment, however, can occur in a business with one or two employees as easily as with large companies. Remember that all of our Lodges can be considered a "business" of one size or another.
Sexual Harassment is one of the items not covered under the Elks Grand Lodge Master Liability Program. For this protection, all lodges should have “Directors and Officers Liability Insurance”. This is more commonly referred to as, “D&O” insurance. This coverage can be obtained from a local, Independent Insurance Broker or may be obtained from the Elks insurer, “Marsh”. I have spoken with the District Deputies over the years, as well as at many individual district clinics and written articles in this paper, of the coverage afforded by the “D&O” policy and the exposure a lodge can face by not having this type of insurance. The D&O insurance coverage is a “must” to properly protect the Lodge, its assets, its officers and committee members and their personal assets. Please remember however, even if you have D&O insurance, you must still have a Sexual Harassment policy in place.
If your lodge has not adopted a Sexual Harassment Policy, it should be done so immediately. Our Grand Lodge has one that can be used or modified to fit each subordinate lodge. It is printed on page 18 of the “Accident Prevention Claim Manual” that each Lodge Secretary has received. It is my strong suggestion that the Board of Trustees of each Lodge review and implement this if not done so already. Each existing employee should receive a copy and sign for it. Any new employees should receive a copy at the time of hiring.
Make no mistake: Sexual Harassment is a form of discrimination and must not be tolerated. Recent legislation in this respect mandates the necessity of each Subordinate Lodge having a published and posted policy for sexual harassment.